Systems and methods for moving DSL launch points

ABSTRACT

A system for scaling vectored DSLAM deployments has a DSLAM interfaced with a cross-connect apparatus. The DSLAM receives POTS signals from at least one bridge connection assembly. When a DSLAM is added at the cross-connect facility, at least one connector of the bridge connection assembly is disconnected from an existing DSLAM and is interfaced with the newly-added DSLAM. By moving the connector to the newly-added DSLAM, a batch of downstream distribution pairs (which are preferably bound by a single distribution cable) are effectively moved from the existing DSLAM to the new DSLAM without having to reconfigure the jumpers of the cross-connect apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to scale the cross-connect facility to any number of vectored DSLAMs while limiting vector group sizes, thereby reducing the complexity of vectoring operations, without having to perform complex reconfigurations of the cross-connect apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/468,603, entitled “Scaling a Vectored DSLAM deployment” and filedon Mar. 29, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thisapplication also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/468,808, entitled “Communications System having Shortened Loopsand Moved DSL Launch Points” and filed on Mar. 29, 2011, which isincorporated herein by reference.

RELATED ART

Vectored digital subscriber line (DSL) cancels the upstream ordownstream crosstalk by coordinating signals at the central office orline terminal and increases the data rates over more common DynamicSpectrum Management (DSM) methods. The term vector is used because theDSL's individual physical layer of voltages is viewed as a coordinatedset or vector of voltages. This group or vector is processed by adigital signal processor for downstream transmission and also upstreamreception. The processor performs pre-processing of transmitted signalsin a downstream transmission such as by pre-coding or linearpre-filtering and joint processing of the received signals in theupstream using received filtering and successive cancellation. The groupprocessing allows cancellation or removal of crosstalk. Typically, thegain from vectoring is largest when all lines in a “binder” or cablegroup are processed simultaneously.

In order to get the loops short enough to enable desired bit rates,digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) are often deployedat cross-connect facilities. To obtain a maximum vectoring performance,it is typically necessary to have the vector group include all DSL pairsin a cable. Typical cross-connect facilities have multiple distributioncables and if there is one vector group/DSLAM for the entirecross-connect facility, it is possible to ensure that all DSL pairs in acable are part of the same vector group, but at a cost of considerablecomplexity. The vector processing for the first DSLAM must scale up tothe ultimate port count envisioned for full deployment.

Alternatively, it is possible to partition the cross-connect facilitiesso that one vector group/DSLAM is assigned to each cable route or asubset of cable routes. This reduces the maximum vector group size thatmust be accommodated. This solution, however, requires a DSLAM for eachpartition at the first day of deployment.

More generally, the complexity of a vectored DSLAM grows with the squareof the number of pairs in the vector group. Therefore, it is desirableto keep the size of the vector group small. When deploying a vectoredDSLAM at a junction of cables, one way to limit the size of the vectorgroup is to deploy one vector group for every “downstream” cable thatemerges from the junction. This limits the maximum size of the vectorgroup to the maximum number of DSL working pairs in the cable, which inmany instances is a fraction of the total number of pairs emanating fromthe junction.

The downside to this approach is that more DSLAM ports are needed, sincea supply of available ports must be allocated to each cable/vectoringgroup. This is especially expensive when planning for future growth.While the total number of ports today may fit in one vectoring group,the projection for growth in port counts due to future increased servicetake rates and bonding of multiple pairs to a single subscriber wouldsize the DSLAM port capacity such that the subdivision of DSLAM ports bycable is necessary to limit the vector group size.

If a service provider chooses to “start small” and use a single DSLAMuntil it reaches its vectored port capacity, it would take a ratherexpensive and error prone jumper reconfiguration to move the existingsubscribers to the correct DSLAM when the additional DSLAM is added. Inthis example, what is needed is a method that allows a service providerto “start small” and be able to grow to multiple vectored DSLAMs withoutan expensive reconfiguration process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of acommunication system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a cross-connect facility with aconventional cross-connect apparatus, such as is depicted by FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional jumper arrangementfor the cross-connect apparatus depicted by FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional jumper arrangementfor the cross-connect apparatus depicted by FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional DSLAM coupled toterminals of the cross-connect apparatus depicted by FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional jumper arrangementfor the cross-connect apparatus depicted by FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional jumper arrangementfor the cross-connect apparatus depicted by FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary jumper arrangementfor a cross-connect apparatus, such as is depicted by FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the cross-connect apparatusdepicted by FIG. 4 after jumpers have been reconfigured to accommodatemoving a DSL launch point downstream.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary jumper arrangementfor a cross-connect apparatus, such as is depicted by FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a straight connector, such asis depicted by FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a bridge connector, such asis depicted by FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 depicts the straight connector of FIG. 11 and the bridgeconnector of FIG. 12 as the connectors are being mated.

FIG. 14 depicts the straight connector of FIG. 11 mated with the bridgeconnector of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the cross-connect apparatus ofFIG. 10 after a vectored DSLAM has been added.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of acommunication system.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional cross-connectapparatus, such as is depicted by FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating the cross-connect apparatus ofFIG. 17 after a vectored DSLAM has been added.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the cross-connect apparatus ofFIG. 10 after a DSL launch point has been moved downstream.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system, such asis depicted by FIG. 1, after a DSL launch point has been moveddownstream from a cross-connect facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods forscaling vectored digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM)deployments. In one exemplary embodiment, a vectored DSLAM is coupled toa cross-connect apparatus (e.g., a crossbox) at a cross-connect facilityand a network data line, such as an optical fiber from a networkfacility (e.g., central office), and the network data line provides datato be communicated to equipment at one or more customer premises.Connections, referred to herein as “POTS pairs,” from the cross-connectapparatus provide plain old telephone system (POTS) signals to theDSLAM, and the DSLAM forms DSL signals, such as very-high-speed digitalsubscriber line, second generation (VDSL2) signals, based on data fromthe network data connection which are added to the lines using frequencyband splitters. Such POTS and DSL signals are transmitted from the DSLAMto the cross-connect apparatus, which interfaces the POTS and DSLsignals with distribution pairs for carrying these signals to customerpremises equipment (CPE).

In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of POTS pairs feed POTS to theDSLAM from the cross-connect apparatus via a bridge connection assembly.When a DSLAM is added at the cross-connect facility, at least oneconnector of the bridge connection assembly is disconnected from anexisting DSLAM and is interfaced with the newly-added DSLAM. By movingthe connector to the newly-added DSLAM, a batch of downstreamdistribution pairs (which are preferably bound by a single distributioncable) are effectively moved from the existing DSLAM to the new DSLAMwithout having to reconfigure the jumpers of the cross-connectapparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to scale the cross-connectfacility to multiple vectored DSLAMs while limiting vector group sizes,thereby reducing the complexity of vectoring operations without havingto perform complex reconfigurations of the cross-connect apparatus.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 20 forcommunicating between a network 22 and customer premises equipment (CPE)26 at a plurality of customer premises 27. In the downstream direction,a network facility 29 (e.g., a central office) transmits plain oldtelephone system (POTS) signals across a plurality of conductiveconnections 31. In one exemplary embodiment, each connection 31comprises a twisted-wire pair, referred to hereafter as “feeder pair,”but other types of connections may be employed in other embodiments. Inaddition, the network facility 29 also transmits data signals defining ahigh-speed data stream across at least connection 33, referred tohereafter as “network data line.” In one embodiment, such data signalsare optical, and the network data line 33 comprises at least one opticalfiber. However, other types of data signals and connections are possiblein other embodiments.

As shown by FIG. 1, the feeder pairs 31 are coupled to terminals (notshown in FIG. 1) of a cross-connect apparatus 36 at a cross-connectfacility 39, and such terminals of the cross-connect apparatus 36 arecoupled to a plurality of downstream conductive connections 25, whichare also coupled to CPE 26 at a plurality of customer premises 27, asshown by FIG. 1. In one exemplary embodiment, each connection 25, alsoreferred to as a “conductor,” comprises a twisted-wire pair, referred tohereafter as “distribution pair,” but other types of connections may beemployed in other embodiments.

In addition, a plurality of cables 41, 42, referred to herein as“distribution cables,” are used to bind sets of the distribution pairs25. For example, as shown by FIG. 1, a plurality of distribution pairs25 are bound by a distribution cable 41 for at least a portion of thedistance from the cross-connect facility 39 to the customer premises 27serviced by such distribution pairs 25, and another plurality ofdistribution pairs 25 are bound by a distribution cable 42 for at leasta portion of the distance from the cross-connect facility 39 to thecustomer premises 27 serviced by such distribution pairs 25. Forsimplicity of illustration, FIG. 1 shows only two distribution cables41, 42, but there may be any number of distribution cables in otherembodiments.

As shown by FIG. 1, the network data line 33 is coupled to a networkdevice 52 at the cross-connect facility 39. As will be described in moredetail hereafter, network device 52 is configured to receive data fromthe network facility 29 and to inject such data into paths of thesignals propagating across the feeder pairs 31. In one exemplaryembodiment, the network device 52 is a digital subscriber line accessmultiplexer (DSLAM) 52. For illustrative purposes, it will be assumedhereafter that the network device 52 is a DSLAM, but it should beemphasized that other types of devices are possible in otherembodiments.

Such DSLAM 52 is coupled to the cross-connect apparatus 36 via aplurality of conductive connections 55, 56, as shown by FIG. 2. In oneexemplary embodiment, each connection 55 comprises a twisted-wire pair,referred to hereafter as “POTS pair,” for carrying POTS signalscommunicated across a respective feeder pair 31, and each connection 56comprises twisted-wire pair, referred to hereafter as “DSL pair,” forcarrying POTS and DSL signals communicated by the DSLAM 52. Note thatthere is not a one-to-one correspondence between the POTS pairs 55, 56and the lines representing them in drawings. As an example, forsimplicity of illustration, each row 101-110 of FIG. 2 is shown asconnected to a single line 55 or 56, but each line 55, 56 actuallyrepresents multiple pairs. Indeed, each terminal 75 of Terminal Block Ais coupled to a respective POTS pair 55, and each terminal of TerminalBlock B is coupled to a respective DSL pair 56. Thus, in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 2, ten POTS pairs 55 (a pair 55 for each terminal 75)extend from each row 101-105, and ten DSL pairs 56 (a pair for eachterminal 75) extend from each row 106-110). In other embodiments, othertypes of connections are possible.

The DSLAM 52 is configured to form DSL signals (e.g., VDSL2 or otherflavors of DSL), based on data from the network data line 33. As anexample, for each CPE 27 that is to receive data from the network dataline 33, the DSLAM 52 is configured to modulate at least one carriersignal with data from the network data line 33, thereby forming amodulated data signal, according to the applicable DSL protocol. Thismodulated data signal, also referred to herein as a “DSL signal,”propagates across a respective DSL pair 56 of the DSLAM cable 58 alongwith any POTS signal to be transmitted across the same distribution pair25 as the DSL signal. The cross-connect apparatus 36 connects such DSLpair 56 to the appropriate distribution pair 25 for carrying the DSLsignal and the POTS signal to the destination CPE 27. Note that the POTSsignal and DSL signal are separated in frequency such that these signalsare prevented from interfering with each other despite simultaneouslypropagating across the same DSL pair 56 and distribution pair 25.

The DSLAM 52 is preferably configured to perform vectoring operations inorder to compensate for crosstalk from its DSL signals affecting theother DSL signals communicated by it. (This is known as self-crosstalk.)In performing vectoring operations, the DSLAM 52 generally estimates anamount of interference induced by an interfering tone that is affectingor will affect a victim tone. The DSLAM 52 also combines the estimatewith the victim tone in an effort to cancel the interference from thevictim tone or pre-distorts the victim tone so that crosstalk iscancelled during transmission. Such techniques can be performedtone-by-tone such that each tone for a given vector group can becompensated for the effects of the other tones within the same vectorgroup. Exemplary techniques for performing vectoring are described incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/016,680, entitled“Systems and Methods for Cancelling Crosstalk in Satellite AccessDevices” and filed on Jan. 28, 2011, which is incorporated herein byreference. Unfortunately, as noted previously, vectoring iscomputationally expensive, and the complexity of the vectoringoperations generally grows by N squared as the size of the vector groupincreases.

In the upstream direction, the aforementioned communication is reversed.That is, for a given CPE 27 communicating both POTS and DSL, a modulateddata signal in accordance with applicable DSL protocol and a POTS signalare both carried by a respective distribution pair 25 and a respectiveDSL pair 56 to the DSLAM 52. The DSLAM 52 demodulates the data signal torecover data, which is multiplexed with data from other CPEs 27 to forma high-speed data stream for transmission across the network data line33 to the network facility 29. The POTS signal is carried by arespective POTS pair 55, which is connected to a respective feeder pair31 by the cross-connect apparatus 36, as described above. Such feederpair 31 carries the POTS signal to the network facility 29.

FIG. 2 depicts a conventional arrangement for the cross-connectapparatus 36 and DSLAM 52. In this regard, the cross-connect apparatus36 has three bays 71-73 of wiring terminals 75. In the embodimentdepicted by FIG. 2, each bay 71-73 has sixteen rows of wiring terminals75 with ten wiring terminals 75 in each row. For example, bay 71 hassixteen rows 101-116 of wiring terminals 75 thereby providingone-hundred sixty (160) wiring terminals 75.

Each wiring terminal 75 is connected to a respective feeder pair 31 ordistribution pair 25 via a pair of wires (usually twisted) that areconnected to the backside of the cross-connect apparatus 36 (hidden fromview in FIG. 2). Each feeder pair 31 and distribution pair 25 iselectrically connected to a single respective wiring terminal 75. Thus,by connecting a jumper (comprising a pair of wires—usually twisted)between a terminal 75 connected to a feeder pair 31 and a secondterminal 75 connected to a distribution pair 25, an electricalconnection is made between the feeder and distribution pairs.

For simplicity and convenience reasons, the distribution pairs 25 of thesame distribution cable 41, 42 are often connected to contiguous wiringterminals 75 of the same bay 71-73. As an example, assume that thedistribution cable 41 comprises fifty distribution pairs 25. Suchdistribution pairs 25 may be coupled on the backside of thecross-connect apparatus 36 to the wiring terminals 75 in rows 112-116 ofthe bay 71. For illustrative purposes, it will be assumed hereafterunless otherwise stated that (1) the distribution pairs 25 of the cable41 extending to one or more customer premises 27 are connected to wiringterminals 75 in rows 112-116 of the bay 71 on the backside of thecross-connect apparatus 36, (2) the distribution pairs 25 of the cable42 extending to other customer premises 27 are connected to wiringterminals 75 of the bay 73 on the backside of the cross-connectapparatus 36, and (3) the feeder pairs 31 are connected to wiringterminals 75 of the bay 72 on the backside of the cross-connectapparatus 36. In other embodiments, other configurations of thecross-connect apparatus 36 are possible.

This cross-connect apparatus 36 can also be used to insert a DSL signalinto the distribution pair—also termed connecting a DSL-port to thecustomer twisted pair. The location at which DSL signals are insertedinto a distribution pair carrying POTS signals is generally referred toas a “DSL launch point.” To implement a DSL launch point, thecross-connect apparatus 36 is arranged to provide POTS signals to theDSLAM, which inserts DSL signals into the communication paths of thePOTS signals. In such an embodiment, each of the POTS pairs 55 and DSLpairs 56 of a DSLAM 52 are electrically connected to terminal blocks andthen jumpers are run between these blocks and the terminal blocks wherethe feeder and distribution pairs are connected, respectively. The POTSpairs 55 feed POTS signals to the DSLAM, and the DSL pairs 56 carriesPOTS and DSL signals from the DSLAM to the cross-connect apparatus 36,which electrically connects the DSL pairs 56 to distribution pairs 25for carrying the POTS and DSL signals to CPE 26. Note that, as describedabove, there is not a one-to-one correspondence between lines drawn inthe drawings and those that follow (with the exception of FIG. 5) forPOTS pairs 55 and DSL pairs 56; each line 55, 56 represents multiplepairs, except for FIG. 5 where each line 55, 56 represents a singlepair.

Assume for illustrative purposes that the DSLAM 52 is capable ofservicing up to forty-eight distribution pairs 25. In such anembodiment, there are preferably at least forty-eight POTS pairs 55respectively coupled to forty-eight wiring terminals 75 of thecross-connect apparatus 36, and similarly there are at least forty-eightDSL pairs 56 respectively coupled to forty eight wiring terminals 75 ofthe cross-connect apparatus 36. For illustrative purposes, assume thatthe POTS pairs 55 are coupled to contiguous wiring terminals 75 of rows101-105 of bay 71 (referred to hereafter as “Terminal Block A”) and thatthe DSL pairs 56 are coupled to contiguous wiring terminals 75 of rows106-110 of bay 71 (referred to hereafter as “Terminal Block B”).

As shown by FIG. 2, connectors 91, 92 (typically part of a connectorizedsplicing system, such as a 3M 710 Splicing System) are often used toconnect the pairs 55, 56, respectively, to the DSLAM 52. Theseconnectors make it more convenient to associate a given block or rangeof terminals with the facility it is connected to: feeder pairs,distribution pairs, DSLAM POTS-pairs or DSLAM DSL-pairs. In this regard,a pair of cables 94, 95, referred to hereafter as DSLAM cables 94, 95,extends from the DSLAM 52, and each cable 94, 95 comprises a pluralityof conductive connections (e.g., twisted-wire pairs). The connectors 91,92 respectively connect the pairs of the cables 94, 95 to the POTS andDSL pairs 55, 56 which are, in turn, connected to the terminals 75. Foreach port of the DSLAM 52, a POTS side of the port is electricallyconnected through a respective pair of the cable 94, connector 91, and arespective POTS pair 55 to a respective terminal 75 of Terminal Block A,and a DSL side of the same port is electrically connected through the arespective pair of the cable 95, connector 92, and a respective DSL pair56 to a respective terminal 75 of Terminal Block B.

Moreover, the cross-connect apparatus 36 provides a convenient means forcross-connecting distribution pairs 25 and feeder pairs 31 to the DSLAM52 and/or other equipment. In this regard, as shown by FIG. 3, aconnection 133 (referred to herein as a “jumper”) may be used tocross-connect any terminal 75 with any other terminal 75. Each jumper133 comprises a pair of wires (e.g., a twisted-wire pair) and has aninterface (not specifically shown in FIG. 3) at each end for mating suchend with a terminal 75. When an end of the jumper 133 is so mated with aterminal 75, one wire of the jumper 133 is electrically connected to oneof the wires of the distribution pair 25 or feeder pair 31, if any, thatis also connected to the terminal 75 on the backside of thecross-connect apparatus 36, and the other wire of the jumper 133 iselectrically connected to the other wire of such distribution pair 25 orfeeder pair 31. Thus, a given jumper 133 effectively “jumps” from oneterminal 75 to another terminal 75 electrically coupling the twoterminals 75 together. Notably, both terminals 75 connected to the samejumper 133 are also electrically connected to the distribution pair 25and/or feeder pair 31 connected (usually via the backside of thecross-connect apparatus 36) to either of the terminals 75.

Using jumpers, paths from the network facility 29 through the DSLAM 52to the CPE 26 of various customer premises 27 can be defined. As anexample, assume that one of the feeder pairs 31 from the networkfacility 29 is to carry POTS signals for CPE 26 that is coupled to oneof the distribution pairs 25 bound by the cable 41. As described above,such feeder pair 31 from the network facility 29 is connected to aterminal 75 of the bay 72 via a pair of wires connected to the backsideof the cross-connect apparatus 36. Assume that such terminal 75 isconnected to a terminal 75 of Terminal Block A in the bay 71 by thejumper 133 shown by FIG. 3. Further assume that the terminal 75 of thebay 71 connected to such jumper 133 is electrically coupled to a POTSpair 55 via a pair of wires connected to the backside of thecross-connect apparatus 36.

In the instant example, a POTS signal propagating across the feeder pair31 travels across the jumper 133 to the POTS pair 55, which provides thePOTS signal to a POTS side of a port of the DSLAM 52. The DSLAM 52 mayalso receive data destined for the same CPE 26 from the network dataline 33. In such case, the DSLAM 52 is configured to form a DSL signalbased on such data and to send both the DSL signal and the POTS signal(which are both destined for the same customer premises 27) to a DSLside of the foregoing port. A DSL pair 56 coupled to such DSLAM portcarries both the POTS signal and the DSL signal to a terminal 75 ofTerminal Block B. To provide a path to the CPE 26 that is to receive thePOTS signal and the DSL signal, such terminal 75 of Terminal Block B ispreferably coupled via a jumper 135 (FIG. 4) to a terminal 75 of bay 71that is electrically coupled via a pair of wires connected to thebackside of the cross-connect apparatus 36 to the distribution pair 25that extends to such CPE 26. In such case, the POTS signal and the DSLsignal travel from the DSLAM 52 through the jumper 135 to thedistribution pair 25 of the cable 41 that is to carry such signals tothe destination CPE 26.

To facilitate the wiring of the jumpers 133, 135, a terminal 75 ofTerminal Block A and a terminal 75 of Terminal Block B coupled to thesame port of the DSLAM 52 have corresponding locations in TerminalBlocks A and B respectively. As an example, in FIG. 5, the penultimateterminal 75 of the third row (i.e., row 103) in Terminal Block A and thepenultimate terminal 75 of the third row (i.e., row 108) in Terminal Bare both coupled to the same port, as further shown by FIG. 5, such thatthe POTS signals from a given feeder pair 31 pass through both terminals75. Accordingly, by examining the jumper pattern of bay 71, it can bedetermined whether both sides of a given DSLAM port are appropriatelycoupled to jumpers 133, 135, respectively. (While this physicalcorrespondence may reduce wiring errors, it is not required, as the pairassignments are typically labeled on the connectors. It is provided asexemplary to help illustrate the concepts described herein.)

Referring to FIG. 5, the penultimate terminal 75 of row 103 iselectrically connected to a POTS side 141 of a DSLAM port 140 via a POTSpair 55, connector 91, and a pair 146 of cable 94, and the penultimateterminal 75 of row 108 is electrically connected to a DSL side 142 ofthe DSLAM port 140 via a DSL pair 56, connector 92, and a respectivepair of the cable 95. Downstream POTS signals from a feeder pair 31connected to the penultimate terminal 75 of row 103 pass through DSLAMcircuitry 145 to the DSL side 142 of the port 140. The circuitry 145also receives data from the network facility 29 (FIG. 1) via the networkdata line 33 and transmits DSL signals defining such data to the DSLside 142 of the port 140, combining it with the POTS signal viafrequency band splitter or filter (not specifically shown). Both the DSLand POTS signals propagate from the DSL side 142 of the port 140 to thepenultimate terminal 75 of row 108. Thus, downstream POTS signals arecommunicated from a terminal 75 of Terminal Block A, and such POTSsignals are received (along with DSL signals injected into thecommunication path by the DSLAM 52) by a terminal 75 of Terminal Block Bat a corresponding location within Terminal Block B.

Referring again to FIG. 4, jumpers for cross-connecting the DSLAM 52 toother feeder pairs 31 and distribution pairs 25 may be similarlyconnected to Terminal Blocks A and B in order to define the desiredpaths between the network facility 29 and the customer premises 27.Further, as demand for services increases, DSLAMs may be added toincrease the capacity of the cross-connect facility 39. To help keepcosts low, a service provider ideally would like to deploy a minimumnumber of DSLAMs for servicing a given capacity, and add DSLAMs later asdemand increases over time. However, such an approach can be problematicwhen the DSLAMs employ vectoring in an effort to compensate for theeffects of crosstalk, as will be further illustrated below.

For illustrative purposes, assume that the DSLAM 52 has the capacity toservice up to forty-eight distribution pairs 25 extending from thecross-connect facility 39 to customer premises 27. Further, assume thatthe total number of distribution pairs 25 in both cables 41, 42initially targeted for DSL services to subscribers is equal to or lessthan the capacity of the DSLAM (i.e., equal to or less than forty-eightin the current example). In such case, the DSLAM 52 can service all ofthe existing demand for services, and the use of an additional DSLAM isunnecessary. FIG. 6 shows a conventional arrangement where the DSLAM isservicing distribution pairs 25 in both cables 41, 42. Specifically,some terminals 75 of the Terminal Block B are coupled to distributionpairs 25 of the cable 41 via jumpers 135, and some terminals 75 of theTerminal Block B are coupled to distribution pairs 25 of the cable 42via jumpers 136 that extend to bay 73.

Generally, the effects of crosstalk are greatest within the same cable.As an example, crosstalk from signals communicated through thedistribution cable 41 significantly affects the signals communicatedthrough the same cable 41 but have relatively little effect on signalsthat do not pass through the cable 41, such as the signals communicatedthrough the distribution cable 42. Thus, in an effort to enhance thebenefits of vectoring, it is generally desirable for a given vectorgroup to include all of the distribution pairs 25 in the same cable.

In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 6 where there are less thanforty-eight distribution pairs 25 in use for DSL services to customersin both cables 41, 42 and assuming that the DSLAM 52 is capable ofperforming vectoring among any of its forty-eight ports, the DSLAM 52can compensate any of the tones communicated through any of the cables41, 42 for crosstalk induced by any other tone in the same cable 41, 42.Thus, for any tone, the DSLAM 52 is able to compensate for crosstalkinduced by the most significant interferers, thereby providing effectivecrosstalk compensation.

However, as demand for services increases over time, the requestedservices may exceed the capacity of the DSLAM 52. In such case, anadditional DSLAM 152 (FIG. 7) may be deployed and connected to thecross-connect apparatus 36 via techniques similar those described abovefor the DSLAM 52. In particular, the DSLAM 152 may be connected to aterminal block, referred to hereafter as “Terminal Block C,” via POTSpairs 175 that carry POTS signals, and the DSLAM 152 may be connected toa terminal block, referred to hereafter as “Terminal Block D,” via DSLpairs 176 that carry both POTS and DSL signals. Notably, the terminals75 of Terminal Block C are coupled to feeder pairs 31 from the networkfacility 29 through jumpers 183, and the terminals 75 of Terminal BlockD are coupled to distribution pairs 25 of the cable 42 through jumpers184. Other arrangements for connecting the pairs 175, 176 to thecross-connect apparatus 36 are possible in other embodiments. Note thatthere is not a one-to-one correspondence between the pairs 175, 176 andthe lines that represent them, as described above for the pairs 55, 56.In this regard, each line 175 actually represents multiple POTS pairs175, and each line 176 actually represents multiple DSL pairs 176.

As shown by FIG. 7, connectors 179, 180 are used to connect the pairs175, 176 to the DSLAM 152. In this regard, DSLAM cables 181, 182 extendfrom the DSLAM 152, and each DSLAM cable 181, 182 comprises a pluralityof conductive connections (e.g., twisted-wire pairs). The connectors179, 180 respectively connect the DSLAM cables 181, 182 to the pairs175, 176 in a manner similar to how the connectors 91, 92 connect theDSLAM cables 94, 95 to the pairs 55, 56 of FIG. 6.

Note that the DSLAM 152 may be added without re-arranging the originaljumpers 133, 135, 136, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 7 and FIG. 6. Insuch case, either DSLAM 52, 152 may service distribution pairs 25 inboth distribution cables 41, 42. Thus, to ensure that any signalcommunicated through either cable 41, 42 can be compensated forcrosstalk induced by any signal in the same cable 41, 42, the size ofthe vector group needs to increase from forty-eight ports to ninety-sixports. That is, each DSLAM 52, 152 needs the capability of performingvectoring between any of the ports in either of the DSLAMS 52, 152. Toenable such vectoring, vectoring information may be passed between theDSLAMs 52, 152, using a method such as described by U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/016,680. Such a solution substantially increasesthe complexity of the vectoring operations.

To keep the complexity of vectoring operations low, the original jumperconfiguration shown in FIG. 6 can be updated when the new DSLAM 152 isadded, as shown by FIG. 8, such that each distribution pair 25 in thesame cable 41, 42 is coupled to the same respective DSLAM 52, 152. Forexample, in FIG. 8, each distribution pair 25 of the cable 41 is coupledthrough the wiring bay 71 to the DSLAM 52, and each distribution pair 25of the cable 42 is coupled through the wiring bay 73 to the DSLAM 152.In such case, to ensure that any tone communicated through either cable41, 42 can be compensated for crosstalk induced by any other tone in thesame cable 41, 42, the size of the vector group does not need toincrease beyond forty-eight ports. That is, each DSLAM 52, 152 needs thecapability of performing vectoring only between its own ports. Thus, thevector group size can be limited to forty-eight ports so that thecomplexity of vectoring operations is not increased as DSLAMs are added.However, such an approach has the significant drawback of likelyrequiring a reconfiguration of the jumpers each time a DSLAM is added toincrease capacity. Not only is such reconfiguration burdensome, but itis also prone to errors and, hence, a lengthy disruption of service.

If both DSLAMs 52, 152 are initially deployed such that distributionpairs 25 of a given cable 41, 42 are not coupled to both DSLAMs 52, 152,then reconfiguration of the jumpers becomes unnecessary when a new DSLAMis added. For example, if both DSLAMs 52, 152 are available at thebeginning of deployment, then the distribution pairs 25 of cable 41 canbe coupled only to the DSLAM 52, and the distribution pairs 25 of thecable 42 can be coupled only to the DSLAM 152, according to thearrangement shown by FIG. 8, without having to configure the jumpers asshown by FIG. 6. However, this approach has the significant disadvantageof requiring both DSLAMs 52, 152 at the beginning of deployment when thedemand for services may only require one such DSLAM. Thus, thepossibility of deploying a single DSLAM 52 at the beginning ofdeployment and then adding a DSLAM 152 when warranted by demand is lost.

Note that there may be other contexts in which the jumpers of thecross-connect may need reconfiguration. For example, for a givendistribution cable 41, 42, it may be desirable to move the DSL launchpoint downstream. That is, it may be desirable to add a DSLAM downstreamfrom the cross-connect facility 39 for inserting data into thedistribution cable 41, 42 at a point closer to the customer premises 27.In such case, the jumpers of the cross-connect apparatus 36 may bereconfigured in order to allow the POTS signals carried by thedistribution cable to bypass the DSLAM 52 at the cross-connect facility36. As an example, assume that the DSL launch point for the distributionpair electrically connected to the jumpers 133, 135 shown by FIG. 4 isto be moved downstream. In such case, the jumpers 133, 135 may bereplaced by a new jumper 199, which jumps from one of the terminals 75previously connected to an end of the replaced jumper 133 to anotherterminal 75 previously connected to an end of the replaced jumper 135,as shown by FIG. 9. Such reconfiguration is generally undesirable for atleast the reasons indicated above.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an approach isprovided that allows a minimum number of DSLAMs to be initially deployedwith a low vector group size and without requiring the vector group sizeto increase or the original jumper configuration to be changed as demandfor services grows. In this regard, the size of the vector group ispreferably limited to the maximum number of DSL services forecast to bedeployed in the largest distribution cable. That is, the vector groupsize is limited to the maximum number of distribution pairs 25 with DSLservice expected to be deployed to customers through any one of thedistribution cables 41, 42 interfaced with the cross-connect apparatus36, though other vector group sizes can be used in other embodiments. Bylimiting the vector group size to the maximum forecast deployeddistribution pair count, it can be ensured that any signal communicatedthrough a given distribution cable 41, 42 can be compensated forcrosstalk induced by any other signal in the same cable, as will bedescribed in more detail hereafter. As demand for services increases andDSLAMs are added, the distribution pairs 25 bound by a given cable 41,42 are moved in bulk from an existing DSLAM to a new DSLAM so that eachdistribution pair 25 bound by the same cable 41, 42 is serviced by thesame DSLAM without requiring jumper reconfiguration at the cross-connectapparatus 36.

Specifically, a plurality of distribution pairs 25 bound within the samecable 41, 42, are connected through the cross-connect apparatus 36 to amulti-pair connector, which will be described in more detail below. Atinitial deployment, the multi-pair connector is connected to a DSLAM,thereby electrically connecting each of the distribution pairs to suchDSLAM. When a new DSLAM is later added, the multi-pair connector isdisconnected from the existing DSLAM and connected to the new DSLAM,thereby moving each of the distribution pairs 25 in bulk and thussimultaneously to the new DSLAM. If there are other distribution pairs25 of the same cable not connected to the multi-pair connector, theseother distribution pairs 25 may be similarly moved in bulk to the newDSLAM via one or more other multi-pair connectors. Thus, it is possiblefor a substantial group (up to and including all pairs) of thedistribution pairs 25 of the same cable 25 to be quickly moved to thenew DSLAM without requiring jumper reconfiguration.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary arrangement for the cross-connect apparatus36 and DSLAM 52. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 10, each port of theDSLAM 52 is coupled to a POTS pair 55 and a DSL pair 56. Specifically, aPOTS side of a given port is electrically connected to a POTS pair 55though a bridge connection assembly 205, and the DSL side of the sameport is electrically connected to DSL pair 56 through a bridgeconnection assembly 206. Such a bridge connection assembly can beconstructed via common splicing system modules, such as those that arepart of the 3M 710 Splicing System and the 3M MS² Splicing System. (Forsimplicity and clarity, the 710 Splicing System components will bedescribed hereafter for exemplary purposes, though other devices withsimilar functionality can be used as well.) The bridge connectionassembly 205 has a connector 211, referred to herein as “straightconnector,” that is removably connected to another connector 212,referred to herein as a “bridge connector.” In one exemplary embodiment,the straight connector 211 is implemented via a conventional splicingsystem connector module, commonly referred to as a “710 straightconnector,” and the bridge connector 212 is implemented via aconventional splicing system connector module, commonly referred to as a“710 bridge connector.” In other embodiments, other types of connectorsmay be used. As a mere example, MS² connectors may be used in otherembodiments. Notably, each connector 211, 212 is a multi-pair connectorin that it is used to connect a first plurality of pairs to a secondplurality of pairs.

As an example, the straight connector 211 is connected to ends of aplurality of the POTS pairs 55 and to an end of the DSLAM cable 94 andprovides an electrical interface between such POTS pairs 55 and DSLAMcable 94. Thus, the connector 211 interfaces a plurality of POTS pairs55 with a plurality of pairs bound by the cable 94. Similarly, theconnector 212 interfaces a plurality of POTS pairs 55 with the pairsbound by the cable 94. As will be described in more detail below, eachterminal 75 of Terminal Block A is conductively coupled to a respectiveport of the DSLAM 52 through the straight connector 211.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the straight connector 211 whenit is implemented via a conventional 710 straight connector. As shown byFIG. 11, the straight connector 211 has a row of insulation-displacementconnectors (IDCs) 222 along a side of the connector 211. Each IDC 222has a respective slot 223 for receiving an insulated wire (not shown byFIG. 11) of the DSLAM cable 94 (FIG. 10). Within such slot 223 of an IDC222, there is a metallic blade (hidden from view in FIG. 11) that slicesthe insulation of the wire inserted into the slot 223, thereby making anelectrical connection with the conductive portion of the wire. Whenproperly made, the connector blade cold-welds to the conductive portionof the wire resulting in a highly reliable connection with the wire.Thus, by inserting each wire of the DSLAM cable 94 into the slot 223 ofa respective IDC 222, electrical connectivity is established betweensuch wire and a respective wire 224 of a POTS pair 55.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the bridge connector 212 whenit is implemented as a conventional 710 bridge connector. As shown byFIG. 12, the bridge connector 212 has a plurality of metallic inserts236 that are respectively coupled to the wires 226 of POTS pairs 175that extend to the terminals 75 of Terminal Block C. Referring again toFIG. 11, the straight connector 211 has a row of receptacles 233 forreceiving the metallic inserts 236 of the bridge connector 212. When thebridge connector 212 is mated with the straight connector 211, eachinsert 236 is inserted into a respective receptacle 233 and makes anelectrical connection with a respective wire (not shown) of the DSLAMcable 94. Thus, for each wire of the DSLAM cable 94, the connectionassembly 205 forms a “Y” connection in which electrical connectivity ismade with a wire 224 of a POTS pair 55 and a wire 226 of a POTS pair175. Accordingly, the POTS side of a port of the DSLAM 52 that isconductively coupled to a respective terminal 75 of Terminal Block Athrough the connection assembly 205 is also conductively coupled to arespective terminal 75 of Terminal Block C through the same connectionassembly 205. That is, the connection assembly 205 shorts such terminals75. Note that FIGS. 13 and 14 show a progression as the bridge connector212 is being connected to the straight connector 211 with FIG. 14showing the bridge connector 212 fully connected to the straightconnector 211.

While the same port of the DSLAM 52 is electrically connected to twoterminals 75 in the instant embodiment, care should taken to ensure thatonly one feeder pair 31 is electrically connected to either terminal 75in order to prevent interference that would otherwise result due tomultiple POTS signals from multiple feeder pairs 31 simultaneouslypropagating across the same POTS pair 55. There are various techniquesthat may be used in order to achieve the foregoing.

As an example, a network service provider might allocate only a portion(e.g., half) of the terminals 75 of Terminal Block A for servicingfeeder pairs 31. The other terminals 75 of Terminal Block A, referred tohereafter as “unused terminals,” remain unconnected to any feeder pair31, except for the connections provided through the bridge connectionassembly 205. In such case, the network service provider also allocatesonly a portion of the terminals 75 of Terminal Block C for servicingfeeder pairs 31. In particular, the terminals 75 of Terminal Block Cthat are electrically connected to the unused terminals of TerminalBlock A through the bridge connection assembly 205 are so allocated. Theother terminals 75 of Terminal Block C remain unconnected to feederpairs 31, except for the connections provided through the bridgeconnection assembly 205. As a mere example, to facilitate determinationof which terminals 75 are allocated for servicing feeder pairs 31, thenetwork service provider might allocate the left half of Terminal BlockA for servicing feeder pairs 31 and the right half of Terminal Block Cfor servicing feeder pairs 31.

In another example, a network service provider might allocate terminalsfor Terminal Block A starting with the first terminal 75 of TerminalBlock A and then allocating terminals consecutively such that the nextallocated terminal 75 is contiguous with the last allocated terminal 75in the same terminal row. Once an entire terminal row is allocated, thenext contiguous row is then allocated. For terminal Block C, the networkservice provider may similarly allocate terminals except that he or shebegins with the last terminal 75 of Terminal block C and beginsallocating in the reverse direction relative to Terminal Block A. Inother embodiments, yet other techniques are possible for ensuring that,for each Y-connection of the bridge connection assembly 205 electricallyconnecting a terminal 75 of Terminal Block A to a terminal 75 ofTerminal Block C, only one feeder pair 31 is electrically connected toeither such terminal 75.

In one exemplary embodiment, the bridge connection assembly 206 isconfigured identically to the bridge connection assembly 205. Thus, thebridge connection assembly 206 has a straight connector 261 mated with abridge connector 262, which is coupled to terminals 75 of Terminal BlockD via DSL pairs 176. Like the bridge connection assembly 205 describedabove, the bridge connection assembly 206 forms a “Y” connection foreach wire (not specifically shown) of the DSLAM cable 95. Thus, a DSLside of a given port of the DSLAM 52 is electrically connected to arespective terminal 75 of Terminal Block B and is also electricallyconnected to a respective terminal 75 of Terminal Block D. As describedabove for the bridge connection assembly 205, steps are preferably takento ensure that, for each Y-connection of the bridge connection assembly206 electrically connecting a terminal 75 of Terminal Block B to aterminal 75 of Terminal Block D, only one distribution pair 25 iselectrically connected to either such terminal 75. Techniques similar tothose described above for the feeder pairs 31 and bridge connectionassembly 205 may be used to achieve the foregoing for the distributionpairs 25 and the bridge connection assembly 206.

In one exemplary embodiment, the cross-connect apparatus 36 is arrangedsuch that the pairs 55, 56 carry signals for only one distribution cable41 and the pair 175, 176 carry signals for only the other distributioncable 42. As an example, all of the distribution pairs 25 bound by thecable 41 may be electrically coupled to the terminals 75 of TerminalBlock B via the backside of the cross-connect apparatus 36 and then alsoto jumpers 135, which are connected via the front of terminals 75, andall of the feeder pairs 31 that carry signals for CPE 26 serviced bythis same cable 41 may be coupled to the terminals 75 of Terminal BlockA via the backside of the cross-connect apparatus 36 and then also tojumpers 133. Accordingly, the POTS pairs 55 should carry POTS signalsonly for the CPE 26 serviced by the cable 41, and the DSL pairs 56should carry POTS and DSL signals only for the CPE 26 serviced by thissame cable 41.

Similarly, all of the distribution pairs 25 bound by the cable 42 may beelectrically coupled to the terminals 75 of Terminal Block D via thebackside of the cross-connect apparatus 36 and jumpers 184, and all ofthe feeder pairs 31 that carry signals for CPE 26 serviced by this samecable 42 may be coupled to the terminals 75 of Terminal Block C via thebackside of the cross-connect apparatus 36 and jumpers 183. Accordingly,the POTS pairs 175 should carry POTS signals only for the CPE 26serviced by the cable 42, and the DSL pairs 176 should carry POTS andDSL signals only for the CPE 26 serviced by this same cable 42.

If the maximum forecast deployed DSL distribution pair count of thelargest cable route is less than the total number of ports of each theDSLAM at the cross-connect facility 39, then the solution shown by FIG.10 can be scaled to any number of vectored DSLAMs without having to passvector information among the DSLAMs in order to compensate for allcrosstalk interferers in the same cable, as will be described in moredetail hereafter. In this regard, in the instant embodiment, it isassumed that the DSLAM 52 has forty-eight ports such that it can serviceup to forty-eight distribution pairs 25. Further assume that each of theforty-eight ports of the DSLAM 52 is a member of the same vector group.

For the instant embodiment, the DSLAM 52 may be used to service anynumber (m) of distribution pairs 25 bound by the cable 41 and any number(n) of distribution pairs 25 bound by the cable 42 provided that m+n isless than the vector group size limit (i.e., 48 in the instant example).For such m and n distribution pairs 25, the DSLAM 52 performs vectoringto compensate for crosstalk that couples from line-to-line in the samecable 41, 42.

Once demand for services exceeds the capacity of the DSLAM 52 (e.g.,when the desired total number of m+n distribution pairs 25 deployed tocustomers exceeds forty-eight in the instant example), the solutionshown by FIG. 10 may be migrated to the solution shown by FIG. 15. Inthis regard, FIG. 15 shows the cross-connect facility 39 after anothervectored DSLAM 252 has been added in order to accommodate increaseddemand for services. For illustrative purposes, assume that the vectoredDSLAM 252 is configured identically to the vectored DSLAM 52 such thatit has forty-eight ports for servicing up to forty-eight distributionpairs 25. Further, like the DSLAM 52, the DSLAM 252 is configured toperform vectoring in order to compensate any victim tone transmitted orreceived by it for crosstalk induced by any interfering tone transmittedor received by it. That is, each of the forty-eight ports of the DSLAM252 is a member of the same vector group.

In addition, like the DSLAM 52, the added DSLAM 252 has a DSLAM cable181 comprising connections (e.g., twisted-wire pairs) that are coupledto the POTS side of its ports at one end and to a straight connector 311at the other. The DSLAM 252 also has a DSLAM cable 182 comprisingconnections (e.g., twisted-wire pairs) that are coupled to the DSL sideof its ports at one end and to a straight connector 361 at the other.Once the DSLAM 252 is added, a technician preferably disconnects thebridge connector 212 from the straight connector 211 for DSLAM 52 andmates such bridge connector 212 with the straight connector 311 for thenew DSLAM 252. The technician also disconnects the bridge connector 262from the straight connector 261 for DSLAM 52 and mates such bridgeconnector 262 with the straight connector 361 of the new DSLAM 252.Thus, the DSLAM 252 is now electrically coupled to the Terminal Blocks Cand D similar to how the DSLAM 52 is electrically coupled to theTerminal Blocks A and B. Accordingly, the distribution pairs 25 of thecable 42 are electrically coupled to and serviced by the DSLAM 252 whilethe distribution pairs 25 of the cable 41 are electrically coupled toand serviced by the DSLAM 52. To enable service, the provisioning of theservices that are moved from ports in DSLAM 52 to ports in DSLAM 252will be transferred to the new DSLAM 252.

In particular, in the downstream direction, POTS signals destined forthe CPE 26 serviced by the cable 41 are received by the terminals 75 ofthe Terminal Block A from the feeder pairs 31 and jumpers 133, and thesePOTS signals propagate across the POTS pairs 55 to the DSLAM 52. SuchPOTS signals, as well as DSL signals carrying data destined for the CPE26 serviced by the cable 41 and received from the network data line 33,are transmitted across the DSL pairs 56 to the Terminal Block B andacross the jumpers 135 to the distribution pairs 25 of the cable 41. Inthe upstream direction, transmissions from the CPE 26 serviced by thecable 41 travel the same path in the opposite direction.

In addition, POTS signals destined for the CPE 26 serviced by the cable42 are received by the terminals 75 of the Terminal Block C from thefeeder pairs 31 and jumpers 183, and these POTS signals propagate acrossthe POTS pairs 175 to the DSLAM 252. Such POTS signals, as well as DSLsignals carrying data destined for the CPE 26 serviced by the cable 42and received from the network data line 33, are transmitted across theDSL pairs 176 to the Terminal Block D and ultimately across thedistribution pairs 25 of the cable 42. In the upstream direction,transmissions from the CPE 26 serviced by the cable 42 travel the samepath in the opposite direction.

By intelligently arranging the cross-connect apparatus 36 and DSLAM 52,as shown by FIG. 10 at initial deployment, such that the signals fordistribution pairs 25 bound by the same cable 41, 42 respectivelypropagate across the same set of pairs 55, 56, or 175, 176, as describedabove, it is possible to easily migrate to an increased number ofvectored DSLAMs by moving the pairs 175, 176 in bulk to the new DSLAM252 without having to rearrange the jumpers of the cross-connectapparatus 36.

Notably, the vector group size can be kept small helping to reducecomplexity in the vectoring operations while still achieving effectivecrosstalk reduction. In this regard, even after the migration when thetotal number of distribution pairs (m+n) exceeds the vector group size,the distribution pairs 25 of a given cable 41, 42 are serviced by thesame DSLAM. As long as the vector group size is large enough toaccommodate the maximum number of deployed distribution pairs in a givencable 41, 42, then it can be ensured that vectoring can be used toreduce crosstalk for all of the lines 25 bound by the same cable.

It should be noted that the techniques described herein may be used withany number of cables, distribution pairs, terminal blocks, and DSLAMs,as well as with any vector group size and DSLAM size. Further, anynumber of connectors (e.g., bridge connectors or straight connectors)may be used for a given cable 41, 42. For example, if the number ofdistribution pairs 25 bound by a cable 41, 42 exceeds the capacity of abridge connector, then multiple bridge connectors for the same cable maybe used. The techniques described herein allow for a bulk move of anynumber of distribution pairs from one connection assembly to another forany reason. For example, with MS² connectors, connector strips may bestacked to accommodate a greater number of distribution pairs 25.

It should be further noted that the techniques for migrating to anincreased number of DSLAMs may be employed at any point between thenetwork facility 29 and the customer premises 27. As an example, FIG. 16shows an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 500 in which across-connect apparatus 502 is inserted downstream from a cross-connectfacility 505. The cross-connect facility 505 may be similar to thecross-connect facility 39 of FIG. 10 except that the cross-connectfacility 505 does not inject DSL data into the cables 41, 42. (Thecross-connect facility 505 may inject DSL data into other cables notshown in FIG. 16.) However, the POTS signals from the feeder pairs 31pass through the cross-connect facility 505 as described above for thefacility 39. Thus, the cables 41, 42 carry only POTS signals in theinstant embodiment.

The cross-connect apparatus 502 is coupled to a DSLAM 52 that injectsDSL signals, as described above for the embodiment depicted by FIG. 10.In this regard, FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary embodiment of thecross-connect apparatus 502. In the embodiment depicted by FIG. 17, thecross-connect apparatus 502 is of a conventional type, commonly referredto as a “distribution interceptor” (which can be constructed our of ADCKrone LS2 terminal blocks.) In FIG. 17, the apparatus 502 is shown ashaving a respective bay 571, 573 of terminals 75 for each cable 41, 42“intercepted” by the apparatus 502. Other numbers of bays are possiblein other embodiments.

In FIG. 17, the terminals 75 of Terminal Block A are respectivelycoupled to the distribution pairs 25 of cable 41. Each such terminal 75is also coupled to a respective distribution pair 25 of a cable 511(FIG. 16) through which distribution pairs 25 extend toward customerpremises 27. In the absence of a jumper 580 inserted into a giventerminal 75, the terminal 75 electrically connects the two distributionpairs 25 that are coupled to it. That is, a terminal 75 electricallyconnects a distribution pair 25 of cable 41 to a distribution pair 25 ofcable 511. Thus, a downstream POTS signal carried by the distributionpair 25 of the cable 41 bypasses the DSLAM 52 and propagates across thedistribution pair 25 of the cable 511. Further, an upstream POTS signalcarried by the distribution pair 25 of the cable 511 bypasses the DSLAM52 and propagates across the distribution pair 25 of the cable 41.Accordingly, if a particular distribution pair 25 of the cable 511 isnot to carry DSL signals, a jumper 580 does not need to be inserted intothe terminal 75 of Terminal Block A to which the distribution pair 25 iscoupled.

However, for any distribution pair 25 of the cable 511 that is to carryDSL signals, a jumper 580 is preferably inserted into the terminal 75 ofTerminal Block A to which the distribution pair 25 is coupled. Theapparatus 502 is configured such that insertion of a jumper 580 into aterminal 75 of Terminal Block A effectively breaks the direct electricalconnection between the distribution pairs 25 of cables 41, 511 coupledto such terminal 75. In such case, the signals carried by suchdistribution pairs 25 are sent to the DSLAM. Note that each jumpercomprises two connection pairs in which each pair is used for carryingsignals in a respective direction to or from the DSLAM 52, as will bedescribed in more detail below.

In this regard, when a jumper 580 is inserted into a given terminal 75of Terminal Block A, such insertion breaks the direct electricalconnection that otherwise exists between the two distribution pairs 25of cables 41, 511 coupled to such terminal 75, as described above. Thus,a downstream POTS signal carried by a distribution pair 25 of cable 41coupled to such terminal 75 propagates across such jumper 580 to theterminal 75 of Terminal Block B into which the jumper 580 is inserted.From such terminal 75, the signal propagates across a respective POTSpair 55 to the DSLAM 52. The DSLAM 52 forms a DSL signal based on datareceived from a network data line 533 (e.g., an optical fiber) (FIG. 16)and transmits the POTS signal and DSL signal across a DSL pair 56 to theforegoing terminal 75 of Terminal Block B into which the jumper 580 isinserted. The POTS and DSL signals then propagate across the jumper 580to the terminal 75 of Terminal Block A that originally received the POTSsignal from the distribution pair 25 of cable 41, such terminal 75 ofTerminal Block A electrically connects the jumper 580 to a distributionpair 25 of cable 511. Thus, the POTS and DSL signals propagate acrosssuch distribution pair 25 of cable 511 to the CPE 27 that is connectedto this distribution pair 25.

In the upstream direction, signals follow the same path in reverse. Inparticular, a POTS and DSL signals carried by a distribution pair 25 ofthe cable 511 pass through a terminal 75 of Terminal Block A, a jumper580, a terminal 75 of Terminal Block B, and a respective DSL pair 56 tothe DSLAM 52. The DSLAM 52 demodulates the DSL signal to recover data tobe transmitted to the network facility 29 via the network data line 533(FIG. 16). Further, the DSLAM 52 passes the POTS signal through arespective POTS pair 55, the foregoing terminal 75 of Terminal Block B,the jumper 580, and the terminal 75 of Terminal Block A that originallyreceived the POTS signal from the distribution pair 25 of the cable 511.The POTS signals pass through such terminal 75 to the distribution pair25 of cable 41 that is coupled to this terminal 75.

In addition, the bay 573 is configured to interface signals between thecables 42, 512 in a manner similar to that described above for the bay571 in interfacing signals between the cables 41, 511.

When a new DSLAM 252 is added, the distribution pairs 25 of cables 42,512 may be moved in bulk from the existing DSLAM 52 to the new DSLAM 252by disconnecting the bridge connectors 212, 262 from the straightconnectors 211, 261, respectively, and mating the bridge connectors 212,262 with the straight connectors 311, 361, respectively, as shown byFIG. 18 and as described above for the embodiments shown by FIGS. 10 and15. Note that such DSLAM addition is accommodated without having toreconfigure the jumpers 580, and since the distribution pairs 25 of thesame cable 511, 512 are not simultaneously serviced by both DSLAMs 52,252, there is no need for vectoring to span across both DSLAM 52, 252.Thus, the size of the vector group can be kept small, thereby achievingthe benefits described above for the embodiment shown by FIGS. 10 and15.

In the embodiments described above, the distribution pairs 25 areessentially partitioned into various groups so that groups ofdistribution pairs 25 may be moved in bulk to a new DSLAM 252 bydisconnecting the bridge connector for one group of distribution pairs25 from one DSLAM and connecting such bridge connector to another DSLAM.It should be noted that there may be other reasons for partitioningdistribution pairs 25 into groups. One such reason may be for moving aDSL launch point from one location to another. In such example, thedistribution pairs 25 for which the DSL launch point is to be moved inthe future may be partitioned into a group that are coupled to a bridgeconnector. When the DSL launch point is to be moved, then such bridgeconnector may be cross-connected with another bridge connector coupledto the feeder pairs 31 at the facility 39 so that POTS passes throughthe facility 39, and a DSLAM installed downstream toward the customerpremises 27 may be installed and used.

To better illustrate the foregoing, assume that the distribution pairs25 (FIG. 1) of the cable 42 are coupled to CPE 26 at customer premises27 located a greater distance from the cross-connect facility 39 thanthe CPE 26 serviced by the cable 41. At some point, the network serviceprovider may plan to move the DSL launch point from the network facility39 to a point closer to the customer premises serviced by the cable 42,such as for example when more subscribers activate service through thecable 42, thereby shortening the lengths of the DSL paths.

Initially, the network facility 39 may be arranged according to FIG. 10in which the distribution pairs 25 of the cable 42 are electricallycoupled to the bridge connector 262 through the DSL pairs 176 and inwhich the feeder pairs 31 carrying the POTS signals for the cable 42 areelectrically coupled to the bridge connector 212 through the POTS pairs175. When the DSL launch point is to be moved, the bridge connectors212, 262 are disconnected from the straight connectors 211, 261,respectively, and connected to a jumper 401 having multiple pairs(preferably twisted) and a pair of straight connectors 411, 461 at eachend, as shown by FIG. 19. Thus, each terminal 75 of Terminal Block C iselectrically coupled to a respective terminal 75 of Terminal Block Dthrough the pairs 175, 176 and jumper 401. Accordingly, POTS signalspass through the cross-connect apparatus 36.

In this regard, in moving the DSL launch point, a new DSLAM 252 may beinstalled downstream closer to the CPE 26 serviced by the cable 42, asshown by FIG. 20. Rather than having DSL signals injected into thedistribution pairs 25 at the cross-connect facility 39, the downstreamDSLAM 252 may inject the DSL signals, such that the signals propagatingbetween the cross connect facility 39 and a downstream cross-connectapparatus 536 are POTS. In such case, the POTS signals simply passthrough the cross-connect facility 39 unchanged. Distribution pairsextending from the cross-connect apparatus 536 to customer premises 27carry both POTS and DSL. Although the example shows all of the pairs fora given cable having the DSL launch point moved, this can be done for asubset of the pairs as desired by employing the techniques describedherein.

Now, therefore, the following is claimed:
 1. A method for moving adigital subscriber line (DSL) launch point, comprising: electricallyconnecting a plurality of feeder pairs bound by a first cable to a firstdigital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) through a firstcross-connect apparatus and a first multi-pair connector; electricallyconnecting a first plurality of distribution pairs bound by a secondcable to the first DSLAM through the first cross-connect apparatus and asecond multi-pair connector; communicating POTS signals from the feederpairs bound by the first cable through the first DSLAM to the firstplurality of distribution pairs bound by the second cable; receivingfirst digital data at the first DSLAM; transmitting digital subscriberline (DSL) signals based on the first digital data from the first DSLAMthrough the first plurality of distribution pairs bound by the secondcable; disconnecting the first and second multi-pair connectors from thefirst DSLAM; electrically connecting the first and second multi-pairconnectors such that POTS signals propagate from the feeder pairs boundby the first cable to the first plurality of distribution pairs bound bythe second cable without passing through the first DSLAM; electricallyconnecting the first plurality of distribution pairs bound by the secondcable to a second DSLAM through a second cross-connect apparatusdownstream from the first cross-connect apparatus; electricallyconnecting a second plurality of distribution pairs bound by a thirdcable to the second DSLAM through the second cross-connect apparatus;communicating POTS signals from the feeder pairs bound by the firstcable through the first plurality of distribution pairs bound by thesecond cable, the second cross-connect apparatus, and the second DSLAMto the second plurality of distribution pairs bound by the third cable;receiving second digital data at the second DSLAM; and transmitting DSLsignals based on the second digital data from the second DSLAM throughthe second plurality of distribution pairs bound by the third cable. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the DSL signals transmitted from thefirst DSLAM comprise very-high-speed digital subscriber line, secondgeneration (VDSL2) signals, and wherein the DSL signals transmitted fromthe second DSLAM comprise VDSL2 signals.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: electrically connecting a third plurality ofdistribution pairs bound by a fourth cable to the first DSLAM throughthe first cross-connect apparatus and a third multi-pair connector; andconnecting the first and third multi-pair connectors prior to thedisconnecting.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the disconnectingcomprises separating the first multi-pair connector from the thirdmulti-pair connector.
 5. A method, comprising: electrically connecting afirst plurality of terminals of a cross-connect apparatus to a firstmulti-pair connector; electrically connecting the first plurality ofterminals to a first plurality of conductors bound by a first cable;electrically connecting the first multi-pair connector to a firstdigital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) such that each of thefirst plurality of terminals is electrically connected to a respectiveport of the first DSLAM; electrically connecting a second plurality ofterminals of the cross-connect apparatus to a second multi-pairconnector; electrically connecting the second plurality of terminals toa second plurality of conductors bound by a second cable; electricallyconnecting the second multi-pair connector to the first DSLAM such thateach of the second plurality of terminals is electrically connected to arespective port of the first DSLAM; communicating plain old telephonesystem (POTS) signals via the first plurality of terminals and theDSLAM; communicating the POTS signals and digital subscriber line (DSL)signals via the second plurality of terminals and the first DSLAM; andbypassing the first DSLAM with POTS signals from the first plurality ofconductors, the bypassing comprising disconnecting the first and secondmulti-pair connectors from the first DSLAM and electrically connectingthe first multi-pair connector to the second multi-pair connector. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein each of the first plurality of conductorscomprises feeder pairs, and wherein each of the second plurality ofconductors comprises distribution pairs.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein the DSL signals comprise very-high-speed digital subscriberline, second generation (VDSL2) signals.
 8. The method of claim 5,further comprising: electrically connecting the second plurality ofconductors bound by the second cable to a second DSLAM; electricallyconnecting a third plurality of conductors bound by a third cable to thesecond DSLAM; communicating POTS signals through the first plurality ofconductors bound by the first cable, the second plurality of conductorsbound by the second cable, the first plurality of terminals, the secondDSLAM, and the second plurality of terminals to the third plurality ofconductors bound by the third cable; receiving digital data at thesecond DSLAM from a network data line; forming DSL signals based on thedigital data via the second DSLAM; and transmitting the DSL signalsformed by the second DSLAM across the third plurality of conductorsbound by the third cable.
 9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:electrically connecting a third plurality of terminals of thecross-connect apparatus to a fourth plurality of conductors bound by afourth cable; electrically connecting the third plurality of terminalsto a third multi-pair connector; and connecting the first and thirdmulti-pair connectors prior to the bypassing, wherein one of the firstplurality of terminals is electrically connected to a side of a port ofthe first DSLAM through the first multi-pair connector, and wherein oneof the third plurality of terminals is electrically coupled through thethird multi-pair connector to the side of the port to which the one ofthe first plurality of terminal is simultaneously connected.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the disconnecting the first and secondmulti-pair connectors from the first DSLAM comprises separating thefirst multi-pair connector from the third multi-pair connector.
 11. Amethod, comprising: electrically connecting a first plurality ofconductors bound by a first cable to a first network device through afirst cross-connect apparatus having terminals, the first cross-connectapparatus having first jumpers coupled between a portion of theterminals of the cross-connect apparatus for carrying signals betweenthe first network device and the first plurality of conductors;electrically connecting a second plurality of conductors bound by asecond cable to the first network device through the first cross-connectapparatus, the first cross-connect apparatus having second jumperscoupled between a portion of the terminals of the first cross-connectapparatus for carrying signals between the first network device and thesecond plurality of conductors bound by the second cable; anddisconnecting the first plurality of conductors bound by the first cableand the second plurality of conductors bound by the second cable fromthe first network device and electrically connecting the secondplurality of conductors in bulk to the first plurality of conductorswithout rearranging the first and second jumpers among the terminals ofthe first cross-connect apparatus such that signals carried by the firstplurality of conductors bound by the first cable pass through the firstand second jumpers to the second plurality of conductors bound by thesecond cable, bypassing the first network device.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein each of the first plurality of conductors comprisesfeeder pairs, and wherein each of the second plurality of conductorscomprises distribution pairs.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein thefirst network device comprises a digital subscriber line accessmultiplexer (DSLAM).
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:communicating first plain old telephone system (POTS) signals throughthe first plurality of conductors, the second plurality of conductors,the first jumpers, the second jumpers, and the first network device;receiving first digital data at the first network device; forming firstdigital subscriber line (DSL) signals based on the first digital data;and transmitting the first DSL signals from the first network devicethrough the second plurality of conductors.
 15. The method of claim 14,further comprising: electrically connecting the second plurality ofconductors through a second cross-connect apparatus to a second networkdevice; electrically connecting a third plurality of conductors bound bya third cable to the second network device through the secondcross-connect apparatus; receiving second digital data at the secondnetwork access device; forming second DSL signals based on the seconddigital data; communicating second POTS signals through the firstplurality of conductors, the first jumpers, the second jumpers, thesecond plurality of conductors, the second network device, and the thirdplurality of conductors; and transmitting the second DSL signals fromthe second network device through the third plurality of conductors. 16.The method of claim 11, further comprising: electrically connecting thefirst plurality of conductors to a first multi-pair connector; andelectrically connecting the second plurality of conductors to a secondmulti-pair connector, wherein the electrically connecting the firstplurality of conductors bound by the first cable to the first networkdevice comprises electrically connecting the first multi-pair connectorto the first network device, and wherein the electrically connecting thesecond plurality of conductors bound by the second cable to the firstnetwork device comprises electrically connecting the second multi-pairconnector to the first network device.
 17. The method of claim 11,further comprising: electrically connecting a third plurality ofconductors bound by a third cable through the first cross-connectapparatus to a third multi-pair connector; electrically connecting thethird multi-pair connector to the first network device; and connectingthe first multi-pair connector and the third multi-pair connector priorto the disconnecting, wherein the terminals include a first terminal anda second terminal, wherein the first network device has a port havingfirst side and second side, wherein the first and second terminals areelectrically connected to the first side of the port simultaneouslythrough the first and third multi-pair connectors.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the disconnecting comprises separating the firstmulti-pair connector from the third multi-pair connector.